Don't Pay Your Taxes? Then No Fire Or Police Protection.

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I found this interesting. Can they actually do this? If they legally can, than what about the ethical side?

No tax money, no service in SF (Tennessee) 

By CHRIS MENEES 

Messenger Staff Reporter 

Frustrated over non-payment of property taxes, the South Fulton City Commission voted 3-2 Thursday night to suspend police and fire service to residents who are delinquent. 

South Fulton Mayor Kent Greer made the motion to suspend the service to city residents after saying that the commission will have to "get aggressive" on dilapidated property and delinquent taxes. He said when he examined the tax situation a couple months ago, he discovered that less than 50 percent of the city's residents had paid their property taxes at that time. 

Greer asked city attorney Karl Ivey if the city is obligated to continue to provide police and fire services to residents who do not pay their taxes. Ivey indicated he would research the legality of the matter and report back to the commission. 

"We're going to have to be aggressive," Greer said. 

He then made his motion to suspend all city police and fire protection to anyone with unpaid taxes in South Fulton. Vice Mayor Johnny Bivens seconded the motion. 

Commissioner Charles Moody questioned sending residents a notice beforehand and Ivey indicated he would like to check on the matter and advise the commission before a vote is taken. Greer persisted, however, saying it's time for commissioners to be "mice or men." 

Greer, Bivens and commissioner Thomas Pettigrew voted in favor of suspending the service, with commissioners Charles Moody and David James casting the two dissenting votes. 

"We may end up going to court. You gotta go out on a limb sometime," Greer said. 

The tax situation became an issue at Thursday night's commission meeting after South Fulton city manager Kathy Dillon told commissioners she is beginning "a hard approach" on slum property and grass ordinances. She said she has met with the city judge, attorney and police officers, adding that she should soon have a report for commissioners. 

"I'm taking a very active approach on slum and dilapidated property and junk cars -- and water bills," Ms. Dillon said. 

She had indicated earlier in the meeting that a significant number of utility bills have been shut off for non-payment and a considerable amount of delinquent utility funds collected to date. 

Ms. Dillon said there are more than 40 unkempt properties, plus several others with unmowed grass and a number of junk vehicles. The city is in the process of sending out letters to violators. 

"We're getting a lot of calls about snakes coming out of the long grass," she said. 

Unfortunately, Ms. Dillon said, the process to cite violators is a lengthy process which begins with a warning citation and then a summons to city court, which convenes just once a month. By that time, two months has passed, she said